Time to hunker down - the mild days of early Autumn are over and now we're heading into darker territory. November is not my favourite; the dark comes earlier every day and the red and russet palette of the country is starting to drop away, leaving nothing behind but skeleton branches and big vistas.
There are a few consolations - the fiery fun of Guy Fawkes and the food that fuels it. I'm currently concocting a recipe for Mulled Blackberry Cider, which I'll share later this week, along with more traditional treats, like a warming slab of Parkin and toasted marshmallows. The bone bare trees mean that nature beneath can reveal itself - I'm looking forward to playing 'spot the egret' on the school run, something that's been missing from our lives since last winter.
November 11th is Martinmas, named for Martin, a Sainted frenchman who tore his cloak in half, in order to cover a beggar huddling under the arch at Amiens. He dreamt that he saw Christ huddling under his cloak, like the beggar, confirming in him a devotion to help all members of society, whatever their station, becoming Saint Martin the patron saint of the poor and homeless, drunkards and outcasts. In France it's traditional to honour his day with charitable acts and also with lanterns, to symbolise the act of bringing light to darkness. I'm planning for some Martinmas celebrations of my own, albeit secular ones, by making paper lanterns at home with my daughter.
I'm also committing to a very good cause - in this case, to Crisis At Christmas. For a fairly nominal £22.29 you can reserve a place for a homeless person which will give them:
Three nutritious hot meals including Christmas dinner
The chance to shower and change clothes, have a haircut and get a health check
Expert advice on life-changing issues like housing and employment
An introduction to Crisis year-round services for training and support for the futur
Sounds like something Saint Martin would applaud and I know it will make my own Christmas dinner taste a little sweeter, knowing that I have done a little something for someone else. If you would like to know more, take a look here - https://community.crisis.org.uk/reserve-a-place
Onwards then, to late November, Sunday the 22nd to be precise. This marks the cusp of winter and, as such, it's the first acceptable time to mention the C word - Christmas is coming and so, it's time for Stir It Up Sunday. This is the last before advent, the perfect time to make your mincemeat and all other manner of seasonal deliciousness.
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